Dovetail Bolsters

M

Mooreblades

Joined
Nov 28, 2013
Messages
29
My question is ... as stated ... dovetail bolsters. I am making this set for my wife's birthday. I have seen
many makers use dovetail settings but really not sure of the angles that should be used. I'm sure that again
it is a maker's preference, but is there a typical set angle that most maker's use?
Right now I have it at a 38 degree and the front at a 45. For aesthetic purposes, should they be the same?
(everything is just super glued on for visualization) This is only my 5th knife made (well... 5 thru 10 now) and
would also like to know if going for a 3 pin handle is too much or back it down to a 2 pin.
Specs:

1084
Bolsters - 304SS
Blade - 7.25"
Handle - 4.5"
Height - 2.25"
Material - Purple Heart

Thanks for all the help and advice to make my wife proud to own and show off !!
Troy

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As you have already mentioned, the angles come down to the makers preferences. The only real important rule/aspect is that the angles are even lengths were they intersect with the blade. If they don't even blind Freddy can see you did a bodgie job. Remember to shape the rest of your bolster to near finished size before peening so you don't grind off your rivet heads. Also remember to chamfer your pin stock ends before peening as this will fill the pin holes better. A good rule of thumb for the length of the pin stock above the bolster is 1 1/2 times the diameter.

If you want to ream the pin holes you can make a reamer with a drill bit the next size up. For 3/32 pin stock I use a 1/8" drill bit. Drill a 1/8" hole in the end of a piece of dowel about an inch deep. Using superglue, glue the fluted end of the 1/8" drill bit into the hole. Once glue has set go to your grinder and grind a long taper over the length of the drill shank and buff the hell out of it. Stick the taper into your pin holes and using the dowel as a handle, twist several times to produce a slightly tapered hole. Very cheap tapered reamer for the cost of a drill bit.

I think three pins in your scales will be fine, again it comes down to what you like. Don't over think it.
 
Last edited:
Cool idea! Been wondering what to do with broken bits. I'll Sharpie on the dowel to remember the sizes.

You should put that in the homemade tools thread.
 
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